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IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release No: 120-03March 14, 2003

KANSAS CIVIL SUPPORT TEAM CERTIFIED

The Department of Defense notified Congress today that the Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team (WMD-CST) from the Kansas National Guard is now certified. This team is fully ready to assist civil authorities respond to a domestic weapon of mass destruction incident, and possesses the requisite skills, training and equipment to be proficient in all mission requirements.

The 73rd WMD-CST is stationed at Topeka, Kan. The team certified today is part of the five teams authorized in the National Defense Appropriations Act for fiscal 2001. All 27 of the teams authorized in fiscal 1999 and 2000 have already been certified. This brings the total certified teams to 32.